UPDATE—Tuesday, March 15: Director Jane Campion has issued an apology to Venus and Serena Williams after criticism that her comments at the Critics Choice Awards was tone deaf. “I made a thoughtless comment equating what I do in the film world with all that Serena Williams and Venus Williams have achieved,” Campion told Page Six in a statement. “I did not intend to devalue these two legendary Black women and world class athletes.”
She continued, “The fact is the Williams sisters have, actually, squared off against men on the court (and off), and they have both raised the bar and opened doors for what is possible for women in this world. I love Serena and Venus. Their accomplishments are titanic and inspiring. Serena and Venus, I apologize and completely celebrate you.”
ORIGINAL POST—March 14, 2 p.m.: Director Jane Campion has recently been praised online for her response to actor Sam Elliot’s homophobic rant about her film The Power of the Dog, but her latest statements have sparked a much different reaction.
On Sunday, March 13, Campion won the Critics Choice Award for best director and delivered an acceptance speech that many say minimizes the experience of Black women and athletes. During her speech, the New Zealand director compared herself to tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams, who were at the awards ceremony to support their film King Richard and the film’s star Will Smith, who was awarded best actor for his performance.
“It’s absolutely stunning to be here tonight among so many incredible women. What an honor to be in the room with you,” Campion said while looking at their table. “I’ve taken up tennis—I truly have—and Will, if you want to come over and give me lessons, I would truly love it. I actually had to stop playing because I’ve got tennis elbow.”
After addressing her fellow nominees, all of whom were men, she added, “Venus and Serena, you’re such marvels. However, you don’t play against the guys, like I have to.”
You can watch the full speech below:
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The comment received applause in the audience and Campion was pictured with the tennis stars at the after-party, but the response on social media has been quite different. “Jane Campion, how exactly does diminishing and stomping all over the constant misogynoir Venus and Serena face help you, a white woman, climb the ladder,” one user wrote. “How ugly and privileged of you.”
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Many feel that while Campion may have meant to make a light-hearted joke about being the lone woman in a field dominated by men, the statement minimizes the experience of Venus and Serena Williams and suggests Campion’s experience as a white female director is more difficult than theirs. Venus and Serena may not literally compete against men in their sport, but they have faced racism and sexism throughout their entire lives as Black women in the public eye.
Director Jane Campion Apologizes for Her Comments About Venus and Serena Williams
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